Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely "untouched" USGI Bring Back late war German Model 42 Steel helmet, which has a fantastic service used look! Everything on it is completely correct, and it looks to have been stored for decades, undisturbed until now. there may have been some level of moisture exposure before capture and possibly afterwards, as there is definitely light rust oxidation on many of the components. In spite of this, this stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains over more than 80% of its original lightly textured feldgrau paint, showing wear consistent with service and storage. Later in the war the paint used on the helmets was much thinner due to supply issues, which is why it is much more common to see finish degradation and rust on M42 helmets.
The rear interior of the apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size: NS64, indicating it was manufactured by Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke, of Schwerte, Germany. It is also marked with lot number D46 above the maker marking. These markings were stamped somewhat poorly, typical of late war production. Size 64 shells are a nice medium size, and can accommodate size 56 and 57 liners. Size 64 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.
All three original liner retaining pins are intact and have almost most of the original paint on the ends, with some light wear from storage. The interior of the helmet still has an original excellent M31 leather liner with all 8 fingers full intact, though the top securing string is a replacement made from very thin wire. The leather is stiff and thick, most likely made from pig skin, which was used later in the war. There is not any size marking, and unfortunately the exterior of the galvanized steel liner band is oxidized, making it impossible to see any of the maker markings.
The included chinstrap is in very good condition, still soft and very pliable. There are no maker markings we can see, and the hardware is oxidized much like the helmet band.
Overall a lovely "untouched" late-war M42 Single Decal Heer Army helmet, with everything completely correct! M42 helmets of this quality are always the hardest to find on the market. This is an item that will only continue to appreciate in value over time.
The first "modern" steel helmets were introduced by the French army in early 1915 and were shortly followed by the British army later that year. With plans on the drawing board, experimental helmets in the field, ("Gaede" helmet), and some captured French and British helmets the German army began tests for their own steel helmet at the Kummersdorf Proving Grounds in November, and in the field in December 1915. An acceptable pattern was developed and approved and production began at Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, (Iron and Foundry Works), in the spring of 1916.
These first modern M16 helmets evolved into the M18 helmets by the end of WWI. The M16 and M18 helmets remained in usage through-out the Weimar Reichswehr, (National Defence Force, Circa 1919-1933), era and on into the early years of the Third Reich until the development of the smaller, lighter M35 style helmet in June 1935.
In 1934 tests began on an improved Stahlhelm, whose design was a development of World War I models. The Eisenhüttenwerke company of Thale carried out prototype design and testing, with Dr. Friedrich Schwerd once again taking a hand.
The new helmet was pressed from sheets of molybdenum steel in several stages. The size of the flared visor and skirt was reduced, and the large projecting lugs for the obsolete armor shield were eliminated. The ventilator holes were retained, but were set in smaller hollow rivets mounted to the helmet's shell. The edges of the shell were rolled over, creating a smooth edge along the helmet. Finally, a completely new leather suspension, or liner, was incorporated that greatly improved the helmet's safety, adjustability, and comfort for each wearer. These improvements made the new M1935 helmet lighter, more compact, and more comfortable to wear than the previous designs.
The Army's Supreme Command officially accepted the new helmet on June 25, 1935 and it was intended to replace all other helmets in service.
The M1935 design was slightly modified in 1940 to simplify its construction, the manufacturing process now incorporating more automated stamping methods. The principal change was to stamp the ventilator hole mounts directly onto the shell, rather than utilizing separate fittings. In other respects, the M1940 helmet was identical to the M1935. The Germans still referred to the M1940 as the M1935, while the M1940 designation were given by collectors.
The last wartime upgrade to the standard helmet took place on 6 July 1942 at the request of the Army High Command. The rolled edge found on M1935 and M1940 helmets was discontinued as a measure of economy. On 1 August 1942 the first M1942 helmets were placed into production, and this was the model produced until late in the war, when most factories were captured or stood idle due to material shortages.
